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About Earning Your Degree

posted 5/22/2008

St. Louis Woman Magazine

December 2007

Having your bachelor’s degree is a necessity today, and a master’s offers you even greater opportunities. With so many different choices in terms of universities, degrees and formats, where do you start?

1) Make sure to do plenty of homework on the front end. Ask co-workers, supervisors and friends for their recommendations and experiences in higher education. Call the schools you are interested in and speak to a representative who can answer all of your questions.

2) It’s never too late to earn your undergraduate or graduate degree. Don’t put off enrolling, though. Most adults who procrastinate find themselves starting years later than they planned or worse yet, never starting at all.

3) You actually do have the time. While working adults have busy schedules, adult-friendly programs offer convenience, including streamlined options, multiple locations and evening classes.

4) College isn’t just for kids. Degree programs designed specifically for adults offer greater learning benefits for you because your peers bring a considerable range of lifetime experiences, skills and knowledge to the classroom.

5) You can afford to get your degree. Explore tuition assistance programs at the workplace. Ask prospective schools about financial aid options, state grants, alternative loans and possible tuition lock-in.

6) Earning your degree doesn’t have to take forever. Many accelerated programs begin throughout the year, and some can be completed in two years or less.

7) What you learn in the classroom can be applied at work the next day! Look for degrees that help put your education to work right away with interactive classes and instructors who possess real-world experience.

8) Once you enroll, indicate on your resume that you are degree seeking. This demonstrates you are moving forward, a degree is important to you and that you possess time management skills.

9) Look for a broad-based degree that can offer more opportunities over your lifetime, unless you require specialized studies for a specific industry.

10) Do seek plenty of support and motivation from encouraging friends, colleagues and family. They’ll be happy to provide it!

Fontbonne University OPTIONS offers convenient, practical and accelerated undergraduate and graduate degree programs that accommodate the needs of busy, working adults. For more information, call 314-863-2220 and ask to speak to a program representative.